It wasn’t that many years ago, when you got an office job with a new company, you were given supplies to work with.

Somebody would come by with a box containing a stapler, some Post-It notes, tape, paperclips and maybe a ruler and scissors.

Or at least they’d tell you where the supply cabinet is.

Not any more.
In most cases there is no supply cabinet anymore.

I had a new employee come in my branch yesterday and she got nothing but a desk, chair, phone and welcome from me.

It used to be you could tell the financial health of your company by when it started counting paperclips.

But since not too many hand them out anymore, that statistic is gone.

You need those things.
Who doesn’t?

You’re expected to schlep down to the store and buy them.
On your own time.

Companies used to hand out pads of paper for folks to write down notes, or phone numbers, or whatever.

And if you were upper management they had your name printed on the top.
Same deal – get your own.

Sure, you can write it off your taxes and as non-reimbursed tool.
But why bother, it’ll only drop your tax due by a dollar, if you’re lucky.

Meanwhile the company is saving thousands.

Most companies preach life-work balance and how important it is to have family time and outside interests.

Then it gives you extra work that demands nights and weekends to get done within the timeline handed out with it.

But don’t work extra because the overtime isn’t approved.

Monday the guy wanders in asking if that report might be ready.

With the economy the way it is today, no one is going to turn down work for life-work balance and not look like a team player.